Zelensky aide: Moscow must prove willingness to negotiate in Turkey

A senior aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expects Russia's Vladimir Putin to attend peace negotiations on Thursday in Turkey.

Andriy Yermak wrote on Telegram on Wednesday that if Putin does not show up , it will be a clear signal to the world that Moscow does not want peace and is "not ready for serious negotiations."

Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian presidential office, called for sanctions to be imposed against Russia if Putin does not travel to Turkey.

He also emphasized the importance of Ukraine's NATO membership. "Without this, there will be no real [security] guarantees," he said.

Zelensky is due to travel to the Turkish capital Ankara on Thursday for talks with his counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The trip was prompted by an offer from Putin to hold direct peace talks with the Ukrainian side in Istanbul.

However, Russia has so far left the format of the talks open, and it is unclear who will travel from Moscow.